scholarly journals Moving Beyond Monin–Obukhov Similarity Theory in Modelling Wind-Speed Profiles in the Lower Atmospheric Boundary Layer under Stable Stratification

2014 ◽  
Vol 153 (3) ◽  
pp. 497-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Optis ◽  
Adam Monahan ◽  
Fred C. Bosveld
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Atmospheric Boundary Layer ◽  
Similarity Theory ◽  
Stable Stratification

scholarly journals Nondimensionalization of the Atmospheric Boundary-Layer System: Obukhov Length and Monin–Obukhov Similarity Theory

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun–Ichi Yano ◽  
Marta Wacławczyk
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Atmospheric Boundary Layer ◽  
Similarity Theory ◽  
Stable Stratification ◽  
Governing Equations ◽  
Layer Depth ◽  
Layer System ◽  
Obukhov Length ◽  
Layer Flow ◽  
Dimensional Argument

AbstractThe Obukhov length, although often adopted as a characteristic scale of the atmospheric boundary layer, has been introduced purely based on a dimensional argument without a deductive derivation from the governing equations. Here, its derivation is pursued by the nondimensionalization method in the same manner as for the Rossby deformation radius and the Ekman-layer depth. Physical implications of the Obukhov length are inferred by nondimensionalizing the turbulence-kinetic-energy equation for the horizontally homogeneous boundary layer. A nondimensionalization length scale for a full set of equations for boundary-layer flow formally reduces to the Obukhov length by dividing this scale by a rescaling factor. This rescaling factor increases with increasing stable stratification of the boundary layer, in which flows tend to be more horizontal and gentler; thus the Obukhov length increasingly loses its relevance. A heuristic, but deductive, derivation of Monin–Obukhov similarity theory is also outlined based on the obtained nondimensionalization results.

scholarly journals Stable Atmospheric Boundary Layers and Diurnal Cycles: Challenges for Weather and Climate Models

2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (11) ◽  
pp. 1691-1706 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. A. M. Holtslag ◽  
G. Svensson ◽  
P. Baas ◽  
S. Basu ◽  
B. Beare ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Atmospheric Boundary Layer ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Model Performance ◽  
Weather Forecast ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Diurnal Cycles ◽  
Low Wind Speed ◽  
Weather And Climate

The representation of the atmospheric boundary layer is an important part of weather and climate models and impacts many applications such as air quality and wind energy. Over the years, the performance in modeling 2-m temperature and 10-m wind speed has improved but errors are still significant. This is in particular the case under clear skies and low wind speed conditions at night as well as during winter in stably stratified conditions over land and ice. In this paper, the authors review these issues and provide an overview of the current understanding and model performance. Results from weather forecast and climate models are used to illustrate the state of the art as well as findings and recommendations from three intercomparison studies held within the Global Energy and Water Exchanges (GEWEX) Atmospheric Boundary Layer Study (GABLS). Within GABLS, the focus has been on the examination of the representation of the stable boundary layer and the diurnal cycle over land in clear-sky conditions. For this purpose, single-column versions of weather and climate models have been compared with observations, research models, and large-eddy simulations. The intercomparison cases are based on observations taken in the Arctic, Kansas, and Cabauw in the Netherlands. From these studies, we find that even for the noncloudy boundary layer important parameterization challenges remain.

Evaluation of regional NWP results for sea ice covered Bothnia Bay (Baltic Sea) in winter 2020.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Wenta ◽  
Agnieszka Herman
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Sea Ice ◽  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Atmospheric Boundary Layer ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Accurate Representation ◽  
Complex Processes

<p>The ongoing development of NWP (Numerical Weather Prediction) models and their increasing horizontal resolution have significantly improved forecasting capabilities. However, in the polar regions models struggle with the representation of near-surface atmospheric properties and the vertical structure of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) over sea ice. Particularly difficult to resolve are near-surface temperature, wind speed, and humidity, along with diurnal changes of those properties. Many of the complex processes happening at the interface of sea ice and atmosphere, i.e. vertical fluxes, turbulence, atmosphere - surface coupling are poorly parameterized or not represented in the models at all. Limited data coverage and our poor understanding of the complex processes taking place in the polar ABL limit the development of suitable parametrizations. We try to contribute to the ongoing effort to improve the forecast skill in polar regions through the analysis of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and automatic weather station (AWS) atmospheric measurements from the coastal area of Bothnia Bay (Wenta et. al., 2021), and the application of those datasets for the analysis of regional NWP models' forecasts. </p><p>Data collected during HAOS (Hailuoto Atmospheric Observations over Sea ice) campaign (Wenta et. al., 2021) is used for the evaluation of regional NWP models results from AROME (Applications of Research to Operations at Mesoscale) - Arctic, HIRLAM (High Resolution Limited Area Model) and WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting). The presented analysis focuses on 27 Feb. 2020 - 2 Mar. 2020, the time of the HAOS campaign, shortly after the formation of new, thin sea ice off the westernmost point of Hailuoto island.  Throughout the studied period weather conditions changed from very cold (-14℃), dry and cloud-free to warmer (~ -5℃), more humid and opaquely cloudy. We evaluate models’ ability to correctly resolve near-surface temperature, humidity, and wind speed, along with vertical changes of temperature and humidity over the sea ice. It is found that generally, models struggle with an accurate representation of surface-based temperature inversions, vertical variations of humidity, and temporal wind speed changes. Furthermore, a WRF Single Columng Model (SCM) is launched to study whether specific WRF planetary boundary layer parameterizations (MYJ, YSU, MYNN, QNSE), vertical resolution, and more accurate representation of surface conditions increase the WRF model’s ability to resolve the ABL above sea ice in the Bay of Bothnia. Experiments with WRF SCM are also used to determine the possible reasons behind model’s biases. Preliminary results show that accurate representation of sea ice conditions, including thickness, surface temperature, albedo, and snow coverage is crucial for increasing the quality of NWP models forecasts. We emphasize the importance of further development of parametrizations focusing on the processes at the sea ice-atmosphere interface.</p><p> </p><p>Reference:</p><p>Wenta, M., Brus, D., Doulgeris, K., Vakkari, V., and Herman, A.: Winter atmospheric boundary layer observations over sea ice in the coastal zone of the Bay of Bothnia (Baltic Sea), Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 13, 33–42, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-33-2021, 2021. </p><p><br><br><br><br><br><br></p>

Estimating local seeing at Observatorio Astronómico Nacional in San Pedro Mártir using CFD simulations of the atmospheric boundary layer

2020 ◽  
Vol 496 (4) ◽  
pp. 5552-5563
Author(s):  
R Sánchez García ◽  
M G Richer ◽  
R Gómez Martínez ◽  
R Avila
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Atmospheric Boundary Layer ◽  
Vertical Profile ◽  
Structure Constant ◽  
Index Of Refraction ◽  
San Pedro ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Sierra San Pedro Martir

ABSTRACT We present computational fluid dynamics simulations of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) at the Observatorio Astronómico Nacional in the Sierra San Pedro Mártir (OAN-SPM) whose objective is to model the seeing observed at the site. We constrain the simulations using observations of the seeing, the vertical profile of the wind speed, and the vertical profile of the temperature, the first two resolved as a function of wind direction. We successfully model the seeing observed under typical wind conditions for each direction by adopting input profiles of the wind speed, the turbulent kinetic energy, and the energy dissipation. The resulting vertical profiles of the index of refraction structure constant are qualitatively similar to the mean profile derived from studies at the site.

scholarly journals A New Value of the von Kármán Constant: Implications and Implementation

2009 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 923-944 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edgar L. Andreas
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Similarity Theory ◽  
Stable Stratification ◽  
Transfer Coefficients ◽  
Obukhov Length ◽  
Von Karman ◽  
Roughness Lengths ◽  
Experimental Values ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Von Kármán

Abstract The von Kármán constant k occurs throughout the mathematics that describe the atmospheric boundary layer. In particular, because k was originally included in the definition of the Obukhov length, its value has both explicit and implicit effects on the functions of Monin–Obukhov similarity theory. Although credible experimental evidence has appeared sporadically that the von Kármán constant is different than the canonical value of 0.40, the mathematics of boundary layer meteorology still retain k = 0.40—probably because the task of revising all of this math to implement a new value of k is so daunting. This study therefore outlines how to make these revisions in the nondimensional flux–gradient relations; in variance, covariance, and dissipation functions; and in structure parameters of Monin–Obukhov similarity theory. It also demonstrates how measured values of the drag coefficient (CD), the transfer coefficients for sensible (CH) and latent (CE) heat, and the roughness lengths for wind speed (z0), temperature (zT), and humidity (zQ) must be modified for a new value of the von Kármán constant. For the range of credible experimental values for k, 0.35–0.436, revised values of CD, CH, CE, z0, zT, and zQ could be quite different from values obtained assuming k = 0.40, especially if the original measurements were made in stable stratification. However, for the value of k recommended here, 0.39, no revisions to the transfer coefficients and roughness lengths should be necessary. Henceforth, use the original measured values of transfer coefficients and roughness lengths but do use similarity functions modified to reflect k = 0.39.

scholarly journals Revisiting the Definition of the Drag Coefficient in the Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer

2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
pp. 2325-2332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard J. Foreman ◽  
Stefan Emeis
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Atmospheric Boundary Layer ◽  
Drag Coefficient ◽  
Friction Velocity ◽  
Marine Boundary Layer ◽  
Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Traditional Definition ◽  
Definition Of

Abstract A new functional form of the neutral drag coefficient for moderate to high wind speeds in the marine atmospheric boundary layer for a range of field measurements as reported in the literature is proposed. This new form is found to describe a wide variety of measurements recorded in the open ocean, coast, fetch-limited seas, and lakes, with almost one and the same set of parameters. This is the result of a reanalysis of the definition of the drag coefficient in the marine boundary layer, which finds that a constant is missing from the traditional definition of the drag coefficient. The constant arises because the neutral friction velocity over water surfaces is not directly proportional to the 10-m wind speed, a consequence of the transition to rough flow at low wind speeds. Within the rough flow regime, the neutral friction velocity is linearly dependent on the 10-m wind speed; consequently, within this rough regime, the new definition of the drag coefficient is not a function of the wind speed. The magnitude of the new definition of the neutral drag coefficient represents an upper limit to the magnitude of the traditional definition.

Exchange coefficients derived from GPS-sonde and SFMR measurements in hurricane conditions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Ermakova ◽  
Nikita Rusakov ◽  
Evgeny Poplavsky ◽  
Yuliya Troitskaya ◽  
Daniil Sergeev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Atmospheric Boundary Layer ◽  
Moisture Transfer ◽  
Weather Forecasting ◽  
Aerodynamic Drag ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Thermodynamic Quantities ◽  
Self Similarity ◽  
Heat And Moisture

<p>Insufficient knowledge of the atmosphere layer momentum, heat and moisture transfer between the wavy water surface and marine atmospheric boundary layer under hurricane conditions lead to the uncertainties while using weather forecasting models and models of climate. In particular, there is a significant lack of data for heat and moisture exchange coefficients. In this regard, it is necessary to analyze and process the vertical profiles of wind speed and thermodynamic quantities. The present study is concerned with the analysis and processing of measurements from the NOAA falling GPS-sondes for hurricanes of categories 4 and 5 of 2003-2017, which represent an array of data on wind speed, temperature, altitude, coordinates, etc.</p><p>The proposed approach for describing a turbulent boundary layer formed in hurricane conditions is based on the use of the self-similarity properties of the velocity and enthalpy profiles in the atmospheric boundary layer, which includes a layer of constant flows, transferring into its “wake” part with height. Based on the proposed approach, the aerodynamic drag coefficients Cd and the enthalpy exchange coefficient Ck for a selected group of hurricanes were restored. As the value of Ck/Cd represents a determining factor in the formation of a hurricane, the dependence of this ratio on the wind speed was constructed.</p><p>This work was supported by the RFBR projects No 19-05-00249, 19-05-00366, 18-35-20068 (remote sensing data analysis) and RSF No 19-17-00209 (GPS-sonde data assimilation and processing).</p>

scholarly journals Distributed wind measurements with multiple quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles in the atmospheric boundary layer

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 3795-3814
Author(s):  
Tamino Wetz ◽  
Norman Wildmann ◽  
Frank Beyrich
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Atmospheric Boundary Layer ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles ◽  
Horizontal Wind ◽  
Vertical Profiles ◽  
Aerial Vehicles ◽  
Wind Measurements ◽  
Quadrotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Abstract. In this study, a fleet of quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is presented as a system to measure the spatial distribution of atmospheric boundary layer flow. The big advantage of this approach is that multiple and flexible measurement points in space can be sampled synchronously. The algorithm to obtain horizontal wind speed and direction is designed for hovering flight phases and is based on the principle of aerodynamic drag and the related quadrotor dynamics. During the FESST@MOL campaign at the boundary layer field site (Grenzschichtmessfeld, GM) Falkenberg of the Lindenberg Meteorological Observatory – Richard Assmann Observatory (MOL-RAO), 76 calibration and validation flights were performed. The 99 m tower equipped with cup and sonic anemometers at the site is used as the reference for the calibration of the wind measurements. The validation with an independent dataset against the tower anemometers reveals that an average accuracy of σrms<0.3 m s−1 for the wind speed and σrms,ψ<8∘ for the wind direction was achieved. Furthermore, we compare the spatial distribution of wind measurements with the fleet of quadrotors to the tower vertical profiles and Doppler wind lidar scans. We show that the observed shear in the vertical profiles matches well with the tower and the fluctuations on short timescales agree between the systems. Flow structures that appear in the time series of a line-of-sight measurement and a two-dimensional vertical scan of the lidar can be observed with the fleet of quadrotors and are even sampled with a higher resolution than the deployed lidar can provide.

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